Association of Aortic Valvular Disease and Cystic Medial Necrosis of the Ascending Aorta

Abstract

In 4 patients with aortic stenosis and regurgitation, progressive dilatation of the ascending aorta and dissecting aneurysm developed. Cystic medial necrosis was discovered histologically. It is suggested that the change in the aorta is secondary to hemodynamic stresses imposed by the disease at the aortic valve.